The Week 14 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers features two teams nobody thought would be struggling the way they are. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Fantasy football projections, Week 14: Cowboys-Packers featuring Dez Bryant, Darren McFadden and Aaron Rodgers
We break down the Week 14 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers.
Dallas Cowboys
Let’s face it. It has been a tough year for the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Tony Romo broke his collarbone not once but twice this season. Because of that, the Cowboys are just trying to finish the year strong, although they do have a long shot at a playoff spot at the moment. The fact that they are starting Matt Cassel at quarterback means Darren McFadden becomes the most important catalyst for the team’s offense. Against Washington last week he only gained 59 yards, but the good news for his fantasy owners is that McFadden scored a touchdown in the game. It’s too bad he left partway through the game to get tested for a concussion. Luckily the test results came back negative.
Although Matt Cassel pretty much drives down the value of every receiver the team has, Dez Bryant is still the leader of the Cowboys when Romo is sidelined. He caught just three passes for 62 yards against Washington. The offensive game plan for both teams in that contest was dismal all around. At the same time though, it’s important to note that Bryant’s fantasy production drops significantly when Romo isn’t around. That was true not just under Cassel but also under Brandon Weeden earlier this season.
Green Bay Packers
All is well in Packer land, for now. Things wouldn’t be going too well if not for a 61-yard bomb thrown by quarterback Aaron Rodgers that sealed a dramatic come-from-behind win against the Detroit Lions last week. The toss allowed Rodgers to finish the game with 273 passing yards and two touchdowns. He was otherwise mediocre with the exception of the fourth quarter. Hopefully he gets off to a better start against the Cowboys. That shouldn’t be a problem because the opposing team can’t move the ball on offense, and it’s only a matter of time before the defense wears down.
Rodgers will look to a fellow Rodgers, Richard, down the middle of the field against the Cowboys. The tight end caught the game-winning touchdown against the Lions last week and seven other passes for 146 yards. He is not necessarily dependable week-to-week as far as accumulating fantasy statistics is concerned, but it’s obvious Randall Cobb and James Jones aren’t exactly performing the way they should be. Rodgers is in for a tough matchup this week however. The Cowboys have been very good at defending tight ends this year.
